WEDDING DAY—Ruth Bressler and Frank Serot kiss before cutting their wedding cake.

When love walked in with you

One look and I had found a world completely new

By Deborah Moon

Four days after their romantic Valentine’s Day wedding at Rose Schnitzer Manor, Ruth Bressler, 86, and Frank Serot, 93, were still “walking on air.”

Interviewed in their now joint apartment at the assisted-living facility in Cedar Sinai Park in Southwest Portland, the happy couple sipped afternoon cocktails as they sat side by side on their sofa. They sounded almost giddy as they recounted their courtship.

“It was love at first sight,” said Frank of meeting Ruth on his first day in the Manor. “I did that twice in my life,” he added, noting he married both times.

Frank said when he spotted Jennie, the woman who became his first wife of 61 years, it took him two months to get her to agree to go on a date.

“That wasn’t the case with me,” broke in Ruth. “I liked you immediately.”

“And I loved you immediately,” replied Frank, looking at his new bride fondly.

Ruth said it took her about a month to fall in love, but said she was hooked from the moment Frank walked up to her table and asked if he could join her for breakfast.

Ruth, whose first husband Eddie died in 1991 after 47 years of marriage, said she hadn’t had plans to marry again.

Frank concurred: “We weren’t really looking. I walked in one morning a few days after she moved in and asked if she would mind if I joined her. And we hit it off right away and haven’t stopped talking since.”

Ruth said she moved to Portland and the Manor April 15, 2007, to be near her younger son, John Bressler. Her older son Robert is a vintner in California. She said she and Eddie had retired to Florida, after she lived in New Jersey for 60 years.

Frank said he moved to Portland from Calgary when he was a young boy. Growing up at Second and Meade near Kesser Israel, he said he sold newspapers at the corner of Third and Washington. He said he frequently walked up the street to the old Neighborhood House.

“I got a real present from that place. They had a swing with a sign, do not stand on the swing. I stood on the swing and fell face first and still have a little scar right here,” he said, pointing to a scar just below his lower lip.

After growing up in the heart of the Jewish neighborhood in Old South Portland, he said he moved back to Canada and lived in Montreal for many years. The couple moved back to Oregon decades ago, building a house in Oregon City. He said most of his family, including daughter and son-in-law Irene and Mike Mermelstein, now lives near Oregon City.

Ruth, who said having no grandchildren has been a bit of a sore spot for her, is delighted that Frank’s grandchildren now call her “grandma.” She now has a horde of grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, whom Frank said are too numerous to count.

Both said their families have been very supportive of their marriage. As have their friends at the Manor.

“Everyone here is so excited,” said Ruth. “It’s the first wedding in the Manor.”

“The residents were very excited be included in Frank and Ruth’s big day,” said Elizabeth Moore, RSM assistant activity director. “Not only was it special way to spend Valentine’s Day but I believe it gave hope to many that they too could find someone. You are never too old to fall in love.”

Ruth said she did think they had given some other residents ideas, and added, “But they have to find somebody.”

“They’re so happy together, they light up the room,” said Barbara Slader, director of the RSM Chorus, in which the two sing each week.

Frank said the couple enjoys singing together.

“Anything we do together, we enjoy,” he said.

Asked what other joint activities they share, Ruth replied: “Everything. Frank is great, he goes along with anything I want to do.”

The two said they danced to the song “Second Time Around” at their wedding, though Frank admitted to having forgotten all about dancing, so he “swayed back and forth.” Still, the song was meaningful.

“I think I found the right person for a second marriage,” he said.

“I never thought of getting married again,” said Ruth. “I’m just so happy.”